Beverage dispensing systems and methods

ABSTRACT

A beverage dispensing system comprises a beverage dispenser electrically coupled to a point of sale. The point of sale has an input module, a beverage selection module, and a dispensing module. The input module includes a user interface configured to receive a user identification and a beverage selection. The beverage selection module receives data from the input module that includes the beverage selection and identifies an ingredient in the beverage selection. The dispensing module receives data from one or both of the input module and the beverage selection module that includes the beverage selection and the ingredient. The dispensing module also generates a beverage dispensing instruction based at least in part on the beverage selection and the ingredient. The beverage dispenser receives data from the dispensing module that includes the beverage dispensing instruction and dispenses a beverage according to the beverage dispensing instruction.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/370,254, filed Feb. 9, 2012, which claims the benefit ofU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/542,701, filed Oct. 3, 2011,entitled, “Beverage Dispensing Systems and Methods,” the contents ofboth are hereby incorporated by reference.

This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/370,258, entitled, “Beverage Dispensing Systems and Methods,” filedon Feb. 9, 2012, the teachings of which are incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND

Beverage dispensing systems aid beverage serving establishments inproviding efficient, accurate beverage service to patrons. At someestablishments, patrons order complex beverages that require multipleand sometimes expensive ingredients. Servers and bartenders are supposedto dispense these beverages according to a known recipe or pouringprotocol. Oftentimes, servers and bartenders make mistakes in dispensingor mixing beverages, which results in waste and reduces the quality ofthe dispensed beverage and patron satisfaction. Further, bartendersoftentimes are busy with bar patrons, but are also required to preparebeverages for servers' patrons. Bartenders may delay in preparing thebeverages for the servers' patrons, which causes frustration to both theservers and the patrons.

These accuracy and timeliness issues become especially concerning whenalcoholic beverages are served. Alcohol is relatively expensive andowners of establishments serving alcoholic beverages generate highrevenues from serving these beverages, making accuracy a criticalcomponent to making patrons happy and maintaining business. Further,because there is strong competition patrons are likely to stoppatronizing a business if the alcoholic beverage quality is low and ifthere is significant delay is receiving ordered beverages. These issuesresult is loss of revenue for the owners. Owners would benefit greatlyfrom beverage dispensing systems and methods that help servers andbartenders increase accuracy and timeliness and reduce costs associatedwith serving alcoholic beverages.

SUMMARY

The present description describes examples of beverage dispensingsystems and methods, the use of which may help overcome problems andlimitations of the prior art.

In an embodiment, a beverage dispensing system comprises a point of saleand a beverage dispenser that is electrically coupled to the point ofsale. The point of sale has an input module, a beverage selectionmodule, and a dispensing module. The input module includes a userinterface that is configured to receive a user identification and dataincluding a beverage selection. The beverage selection module receivesdata from the input module that includes the beverage selection andidentifies at least one ingredient, and additional ingredients, ifincluded, in the beverage selection. The dispensing module receives datafrom at least one of the input module and the beverage selection modulethat includes the beverage selection and the ingredient(s). Thedispensing module also generates a beverage dispensing instruction thatis based at least in part on the beverage selection and the at least oneingredient. The dispensing element receives data from the dispensingmodule that includes the beverage dispensing instruction and dispenses abeverage according to the beverage dispensing instruction.

In another embodiment, a beverage dispensing system comprises a userinterface, a processor electrically coupled to the user interface, and abeverage dispenser electrically coupled to the processor. The userinterface is configured to receive data from a user that relates to oneor more beverage selections. The processor is configured to: receivedata relating to the beverage selection(s); identify one or moreingredients in the beverage selection(s); and generate a beverageinstruction based at least in part on the beverage selection(s) and theingredient(s). The beverage instruction includes data that relates tothe quantity of the ingredient(s) and the manner in which theingredient(s) are dispensed. The beverage dispenser is configured toreceive data that includes the beverage instruction and dispense abeverage according to the beverage instruction.

In yet another embodiment, a method of dispensing a beverage comprises:receiving a beverage selection from a user interface; identifying atleast one ingredient in the beverage selection; generating a beverageinstruction based at least in part on the at least one beverageselection and the at least one ingredient; creating a beverage accordingto the beverage instruction; and dispensing the beverage from a beveragedispenser electrically coupled to the user interface. The beverageinstruction includes data relating to a quantity of the at least oneingredient and the manner in which the at least one ingredient is to bedispensed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram that shows an embodiment of abeverage dispensing system, according to embodiments of the invention.

FIGS. 2A-2D show various user interface menus for an embodiment of thebeverage dispensing system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows steps in an exemplary method for dispensing beveragesaccording to embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 4 shows an aspect of the method illustrated in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram that shows an example of thedisclosed beverage dispensing system 100 that includes a point of sale102 and a beverage dispenser 104. The point of sale 102 may be anysuitable central computing device. For example, the point of sale 102may be a central server that is either wirelessly coupled or wired tothe beverage dispenser 104. Some beverage dispensers 104 may bepositioned integral with the point of sale 102 and other beveragedispensers 104 are positioned remote from the point of sale 102. Thebeverage dispenser 104 may be any suitable dispensing element that iscapable of dispensing multiple ingredients for various beverages.

The point of sale 102 shown in FIG. 1 includes an input module 106, abeverage selection module 108, and a dispensing module 110. A processor111 may control the operation of one or more of these modules in someexample configurations. Additional modules and additional functions ofthe processor 111, if present, may be included. The input module 106 hasa user interface 112 that receives data 114 from the user including, forexample, user identification 116 and a beverage selection 118. Otherdata 114 may be received depending on the implementation. The userinterface 112 is either integral with the point of sale or remote fromthe point of sale. Other data 120 may be entered by the user at the userinterface 112. The user interface 112 prompts the user for data or theuser may freely enter data, as desired. The user interface 112 ispreferably a programmable LCD touch screen with on board image storage,but other platforms such as OLED and other touch screens are alsooptions. The user interface also may include voice-activated commandsand menus either alone or in combination with the programmable LCD touchscreen.

In some embodiments, the beverage dispensing system 100 includes acontrol board (not shown) that interprets data 114, 116 received at theuser interface 112 and sends the data 114, 116 through the point of sale102 to the dispensing system 104. The control board may mimic a scannedkeypad matrix or direct serial/USB/Ethernet or other communicationscheme to effect communication between the user interface 112 and thebeverage dispenser 104. Any information relating to the user's beverageselection 118 and the user interface 112 is stored either on the touchscreen itself or in flash memory on the control board and is userprogrammable, if desired.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the user interface 112 receives data from auser at the user interface 112 including but not limited to useridentification 116 and a beverage selection 118. The user may berequired to enter user identification 116 data before accessing anymenus or other functions of the beverage dispensing system 100. Useridentification 116 data is any unique identifier that allows a user toaccess the beverage dispensing system 100. User identification data 116is used to track a user's use of the beverage dispensing system 100 andto prevent unauthorized users from using the beverage dispensing system100.

The user also enters a beverage selection 118 into the beveragedispensing system 100 either after an authorized user identification 116is entered by the user or simultaneously with the user identification116, depending on the configuration of the beverage dispensing system100. The beverage selection 118 may include one or more beveragesincluding sodas, juices, beer, cocktails, and the like. For example, theuser is a server that would like to request three drinks for a group ofpatrons. The server enters an authorized user identification 116 andthen enters the names of each of the selected drinks into the userinterface 112. Any additional information also may be included in theserver's request, such as if one of the patrons requested extra garnishor custom features of the beverage selection 118.

The point of sale 102 may include an optional tracking module 122 thattracks a user's activity on and/or the general functionality of thebeverage dispensing system 100 along with a historical record of useractions and beverages dispensed. The tracking module 122 may log eachtime an authorized user gains access to the beverage dispensing system100 and may log the type and quantity of various beverage selections118. Some beverage dispensing systems 100 have a data store or othertype of memory into which the data tracked by the tracking module 122 isstored. This information is used to monitor users' interactions with thebeverage dispensing system 100, to track the types of beverages 118ordered, and to monitor inventory levels of ingredients based on thetype and quantity of the beverages 118 that are dispensed from thebeverage dispensing system 100. Although some example uses for thetracking module 122 have been discussed here, any suitable use orability to monitor or track any aspects of the beverage dispensingsystem 100 may be included.

The beverage selection module 108 receives data from the input module106 including the beverage selection 124 from the input module 106 andidentifies one or more ingredient(s) 126 that is in the beverageselection 124. Some beverage selections include multiple ingredients.For example, the beverage selection 118 is a gin and tonic cocktailentered by a user at the user interface 112. The gin and tonic cocktailincludes two ingredients: gin and tonic water, which are identified bythe beverage selection module 108. The dispensing module 110 receivesdata including the beverage selection 126 and the ingredients 128, 134from one or both of the input module 106 and the beverage selectionmodule 108. In some examples, the dispensing module 110 receives thebeverage selection 126 and the ingredients 128, 134 from the beverageselection module 108. In other examples, the beverage selection module108 receives the beverage selection 130, 136 from the input module 106and the ingredients 128, 134 from the beverage selection module 108.

The dispensing module 110 generates a beverage dispensing instruction130 that is based at least in part on the beverage selection 126 and theingredients 128, 134, as shown in FIG. 1. In some configurations of thebeverage dispensing system 100, the dispensing module 110 automaticallygenerates a beverage dispensing instruction 130 and in otherconfigurations, the dispensing module 110 requires input or presentsother input from the user before generating the beverage dispensinginstruction 130. The beverage dispensing instruction 130 includes thebeverage selection 126 and all of the ingredients 128, 134 that areincluded in the beverage selection 126 and optionally any additionalinformation that is necessary to accurately prepare the beverageselection 118. Such additional information may include a recipe 132 forcreating the beverage selection 118, such as the quantity of eachingredient to include, the manner in which each ingredient is to bedispensed or combined with other ingredients, any garnish requested orrequired, the type of glass to be used, any special requests by the userfor the beverage selection and the like.

In the gin and tonic example, the dispensing module 110 receives datathat identifies the beverage selection 126 as a gin and tonic and alsodata that describes that the gin and tonic 126 includes the firstingredient of gin 128 and the second ingredient 134 of tonic water. Thedispensing module 110 creates the beverage instruction 130 that includesthe beverage selection 126, gin and tonic, the two ingredients 128, 134,gin and tonic water, and a recipe 132 for mixing the gin and tonic. Therecipe 132 includes information such as how to mix the gin and the tonicwater together, what type of glass to use for serving the gin and tonic,and to include a lime as a garnish. The beverage instruction 130 is sentto the beverage dispenser 104 that mixes and dispenses the gin andtonic. Some configurations of the beverage dispensing system 100automatically send the beverage dispensing instruction 130 to thedispensing module 110 and others require a user-initiated prompt orother menu selection. Further, some configurations of the beveragedispensing system 100 have a beverage dispenser 104 that automaticallydispenses the beverage according to the beverage dispensing instruction130, while other configurations require or offer the option for the userto confirm this step before dispensing the beverage.

The beverage dispenser 104 is any suitable dispensing element and may bewired or wirelessly coupled to the point of sale 102 and may bepositioned remotely from the point of sale 102 or may be integral withthe point of sale 102. The beverage dispenser 104 handles all necessaryliquid pumping/line switching tasks in order to dispense the beverageselection 118. It may include a series of containers 136 and hoses 138from which ingredients 128, 134 for the beverages are dispensed. In someexamples, the beverage dispenser 104 is a computerized liquor controlsystem (CLCS), such as the Self-Service Cocktail Station available fromEasybar, which includes various containers, tubing, sheet metal, anddispensing nozzles from which beverage ingredients are dispensed.

Some CLCSs have a computing element that receives the beveragedispensing instruction 130 from the point-of-sale 102. The CLCSdispenses the quantity of various ingredients 128, 134 for a beverageselection 118 in the manner in which the ingredients 128, 134 aredirected to be dispensed according to the recipe 132. The ingredients128, 134 are dispensed into a mixing unit 140 and properly mixedtogether. The mixing unit 140 dispenses the beverage selection 118 intoa glass 142 or other container for delivery to the patron. Although themixing unit 140 is shown in FIG. 1, some beverage dispensers 104,whether they are a CLCS or other type of dispenser, do not includemixing units. Any suitable configuration for the beverage dispenser 104can be used.

As shown in FIGS. 2A-2D, the user interface of the beverage dispensingsystem, such as the system 100 of FIG. 1, present a series oftouch-screen menus for the user to enter the beverage selection andinformation about the beverage selection. FIG. 2A shows an access menu202 at which the user enters an authorized user identification 204 togain access to use the beverage dispensing system. When the authorizeduser is finished using the beverage dispensing system, the access menu202 will display again so that it “locks” the beverage dispensing unitbetween authorized uses.

FIG. 2B shows a beverage selection menu 206 that offers the user theability to select various beverages including a “single” 208, “duals”210, and “cocktails” 212. Singles 208 are shown on this menu 206 asshots of liquor including bourbon, brandy, gin, rum, scotch, tequila,vodka, and whiskey. Other configurations of the beverage dispensingsystem include other types of “single” shots or any othersingle-ingredient beverage selection. If the beverage selection is asingle shot, the user selects that option and the beverage dispenserdispenses the single shot. No further menus are presented to the user inthis example and the access menu 202 of FIG. 2A returns after the shotis poured.

When a user selects a “dual” 210, two ingredients are selected and thebeverage dispenser 104 (FIG. 1) dispenses and mixes the two ingredientstogether to make the beverage selection. For example, the user mayselect the options for a two ingredient beverage such as a rum and cola.The user selects the rum option and the cola option from the beverageselection menu 206 shown in FIG. 2B. The beverage dispenser dispensesand mix the two ingredients in the necessary ratio and quantities forthe user.

Cocktails are often the most complex beverages to mix. FIG. 2B shows anoption that the user can select a cocktail 212. Creating cocktails oftenrequires several ingredients and skilled knowledge of the ratio of eachingredient and the manner in which it is poured. Once the user selectsthe desired cocktail 212 from the beverage selection menu 206, the pointof sale generates the dispensing instruction based on the beverageselection and dispenses the desired cocktail according to the knownrecipe for that cocktail. When the user selects the cocktail option 212from the beverage selection menu 206 shown in FIG. 2B, a series ofcocktail selection menus 214, 216 appear. FIG. 2C shows a first cocktailselection menu 214 at which the user is prompted to select the firstletter of the name of the cocktail that has been ordered. This menu 214in FIG. 2C shows each letter of the alphabet so that every cocktailstored in the beverage dispensing system may be ordered. The menu 214shown in FIG. 2C also includes a “back” option that will take the userback to the previous beverage selection menu 206 if the user made amistake in selecting a cocktail or changes his or her mind and decidesto order a beverage other than a cocktail.

Once the user has selected the cocktail option 212 and entered the firstletter of the name of the desired cocktail from the first cocktailselection menu 214, the second cocktail menu 216 appears, as shown inFIG. 2D. In this example, the user selected a cocktail that begins withthe letter “L.” The second beverage selection menu 216 shown in FIG. 2Dshows four options for cocktails that begin with the letter “L.” In thisexample, the user has the option to select a lemon drop 218, a longisland iced tea made with well liquor 220, a long island iced tea madewith premium liquor 222, and a Lynchburg lemonade 224. The user selectsthe cocktail from this list and the beverage dispenser dispenses thechosen cocktail, as described above.

FIGS. 2A-2D show examples of the menus 202, 206, 214, and 216 that usersmay be presented in a beverage dispensing system. Other configurationsand additional menus may be included. For example, the user may have theopportunity to select a cocktail that is not included in the list ofknown cocktails by selecting an option to create a new beverage. Thisoption may include prompts to the user to describe the variousingredients in the new beverage and the manner in which each ingredientis to be dispensed. The user may be presented with the option to savethe new beverage to the beverage dispensing system or discard it.

Various additional features may be included in the menus similar tothose shown in FIGS. 2A-2D. For example, pre-dispensing instructionssuch as the type of glass to use and whether the rim of the glass shouldinclude salt or sugar may be included as text, auditory, or imageinstructions to the user to prepare before the beverage is dispensed bythe beverage dispenser. There may be an option on one of the menus thatthe user is instructed to select once the pre-dispensing activities arecomplete to indicate to the beverage dispenser that it can begindispensing the selected beverage. Once the beverage has been dispensed,a post-dispensing menu may appear if steps such as adding a garnish mustbe completed prior to serving the beverage to the patron.

An optional final approval menu may be presented to the user once thebeverage dispensing system has completed all of its tasks associatedwith dispensing the beverage that presents final tasks for the user toverify that the beverage is dispensed in the appropriate fashion. Thefinal approval menu may serve as a quality control mechanism and maytrack the number of times that the user rejects the beverage dispensedby the beverage dispensing system and prompts the user for a reason whythe beverage has been rejected. A special instruction menu may be addedto any of the above menus so that the user may enter specialinstructions for dispensing the beverage at any step along this process,such as a patron request for something like additional garnish or extraice.

FIG. 3 shows steps in a method of dispensing a beverage, according toembodiments. The user interface receives a beverage selection 302, suchas from the user interface 112 of FIG. 1. Then a first ingredient of thebeverage selection is identified 304. The first ingredient can beidentified by the input module in some beverage dispensing systems. Forsome beverages a second or other additional ingredient is identified306. This process of identifying ingredients continues until allingredients of the beverage selection are identified. Then a beverageinstruction is generated that is based on the beverage selectionreceived by the user interface and the identified ingredients 308. Insome examples, a recipe is identified that is based on the beverageselection and the ingredient(s) 310. The step of identifying a recipe310 is optional and can include any relevant information on how tocreate and dispense the beverage. Then a beverage is created accordingto the beverage instruction 312 and the recipe, if one exists. Finally,the completed beverage is dispensed 314, such as by the beveragedispenser 104.

Many of the features of the beverage dispensing systems described aboveinclude computing elements, such as servers, processors, and the like. Aperson skilled in the art will appreciate that software, firmware, orsome combination thereof may be used to perform one or more of thefunctions of the beverage dispensing system. For example, softwareand/or firmware may be used to present menus to the user at the userinterface. Further, software and/or firmware, may be included in aprocessor that performs the functions of one or more of the inputmodule, the beverage selection module, and the dispensing moduledescribed above. Lastly, software and/or firmware also may perform orcontrol some portion of the various liquid pumping/line switching tasksof the beverage dispenser.

FIG. 4 shows various aspects of the optional step of identifying arecipe 310 that is described in FIG. 3. After the recipe has beenidentified 310, any one or more of the following steps may be performed:identify special preparation instructions for the beverage selection316; determine garnish for the beverage selection 318; identify a glassfor the beverage selection 320; and determine a quantity of eachingredient 322. The recipe may include any additional information thatis necessary or requested during the beverage dispensing process.

The beverage dispensing system simplifies dispensing beverages,especially complex cocktails. It reduces the need for skilled bartendersand reduces the amount of mistakes made by bartenders or other pourers.Further, it reduces the amount of time that is required to dispense acomplex beverage, like a cocktail. Those skilled in the art willappreciate that the disclosed beverage dispensing system providesadditional benefits that are not described in this disclosure.

Thus, although there has been described to this point a particularembodiment for a method and apparatus for beverage dispensing systems,it is not intended that such specific references be considered aslimitations upon the scope of this invention except in-so-far as setforth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A beverage dispensing system, comprising: a pointof sale having: an input module including a user interface configured toreceive a user identification and data including a beverage selection, abeverage selection module that receives data from the input module thatincludes the beverage selection and identifies at least one ingredientin the beverage selection, a dispensing module that receives data fromat least one of the input module and the beverage selection module thatincludes the beverage selection and the at least one ingredient andgenerates a beverage dispensing instruction that is based at least inpart on the beverage selection and the at least one ingredient; and aplurality of beverage dispensers electrically coupled to the point ofsale, wherein a first beverage dispenser of the plurality of beveragedispensers receives data from the dispensing module that includes thebeverage dispensing instruction and dispenses a beverage according tothe beverage dispensing instruction and sends data back to the point ofsale confirming that at least a portion of the beverage dispensinginstruction was dispensed properly.
 2. The beverage dispensing system ofclaim 1, wherein the point of sale and the first beverage dispenser areintegrated into a single device.
 3. The beverage dispensing system ofclaim 1, wherein the point of sale and the first beverage dispenser areremote from each other.
 4. The beverage dispensing system of claim 1,wherein the point of sale and the first beverage dispenser areelectrically coupled to each other by a wireless connection.
 5. Thebeverage dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the dispensing moduleautomatically generates the beverage dispensing instruction afterreceiving the data from the at least one of the input module and thebeverage selection module.
 6. The beverage dispensing system of claim 5,wherein a dispensing element of the first beverage dispenserautomatically receives the data from the dispensing module that includesthe beverage dispensing instruction and automatically dispenses thebeverage according to the beverage dispensing instruction.
 7. Thebeverage dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the user interface is atouch-screen computing device.
 8. The beverage dispensing system ofclaim 1, wherein the beverage selection includes at least one cocktail.9. The beverage dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the at least oneingredient includes at least one liquor.
 10. The beverage dispensingsystem of claim 1, wherein the beverage selection includes at least twoingredients, and wherein a first ingredient includes a liquor and asecond ingredient includes a mixer.
 11. The beverage dispensing systemof claim 1, wherein the beverage dispensing instruction include a recipefor creating the beverage selection.
 12. The beverage dispensing systemof claim 1, wherein the beverage selection includes at least twoingredients and the beverage dispensing instruction includes a recipefor mixing the at least two ingredients to create the beverageselection.
 13. The beverage dispensing system of claim 1, wherein thepoint of sale further includes a tracking module that receives data fromthe input module including the beverage selection and stores informationrelating to the beverage selection in a data store.
 14. A beveragedispensing system, comprising: a user interface configured to receivedata from a user relating to at least one beverage selection; aprocessor electrically coupled to the user interface, the processorconfigured to: receive data relating to the at least one beverageselection, identify at least one ingredient in the at least one beverageselection, generate a beverage instruction based at least in part on theat least one beverage selection and the at least one ingredient, thebeverage instruction including data relating to the quantity of the atleast one ingredient and the manner in which the at least one ingredientis dispensed; and a plurality of beverage dispensers electricallycoupled to the processor, the beverage dispensers configured to receivedata that includes the beverage instruction and dispense a beverageaccording to the beverage instruction.
 15. The beverage dispensingsystem of claim 14, wherein the user interface and at least one of theplurality of beverage dispensers are remote from each other.
 16. Thebeverage dispensing system of claim 14, wherein a first beveragedispenser of the plurality of the beverage dispensers automaticallyreceives data that includes the beverage instruction after the processorgenerates the beverage instruction.
 17. The beverage dispensing systemof claim 16, wherein the first beverage dispenser automaticallydispenses the beverage after the beverage dispenser receives thebeverage instruction.
 18. A method of dispensing a beverage, comprising:receiving a beverage selection and a user identification from a userinterface; identifying at least one ingredient in the beverageselection; generating a beverage instruction based at least in part onthe at least one beverage selection and the at least one ingredient,wherein the beverage instruction includes data relating to a quantity ofthe at least one ingredient and the manner in which the at least oneingredient is to be dispensed; and creating a beverage according to thebeverage instruction and dispensing the beverage from a first beveragedispenser of a plurality of beverage dispensers electrically coupled tothe user interface.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the userinterface and the first beverage dispenser are remote from each other.20. The method of claim 18, wherein the beverage is automaticallycreated based on the beverage instruction and the beverage isautomatically dispensed from the first beverage dispenser.